Heidi Troniseck's Top Tips

Heidi Troniseck, #Supergroom to Richard Davison shares her Top Tips!

Heidi started her career wanting to be a rider, particularly showjumping, so she began her career in 1988 in Germany where she had the opportunity to ride.

During the 6 years Heidi living in Germany she fell in love with looking after the horses. Heidi realised, she had a passion for caring for horses and fell in love with the connection she felt more than the riding, so decided to become a groom full time.

For the past 9 years Heidi has been #supergroom to dressage rider Richard Davison, we caught up with her at the World Championships to find out her top tips for grooming at events.

What is it like to be at Herning?

"Incredible! The organisers have done a brilliant job and the atmosphere is awesome. The best thing is the work the International Grooms Association and the British Grooms Association have done to make grooms be recongised as one of the team.

We are a valid and important part of the team, and Herning really showed everybody that. It was just amazing."

How do you stay so organised?

"I write everything down or I forget it. I write a list the day before events, lists for everything and I keep a diary." 

What are your top 5 pieces of equipment you always take to events?

"Wall clock – I always take a big wall clock with me and I write the time that things need to be done on my lists. It is much easier to glance at a wall clock when my hands are full, and I have plaiting bands in my mouth. 

GoodBye Flys Organic Shampoo – it’s a 6 in 1 product which is FEI legal, I always have a stock of that.

Kettle – I love to use slightly warm water to wash horses off so making sure you have your own kettle is very handy.

Towels – One just doesn’t cut it; I take several towels for wiping tack and for drying legs.

Water wipes – for the horses’ eyes and nose, so there is no cross contamination."

What advice would you give to a groom just beginning their career?

"Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice. It is important to keep asking if you aren’t sure – it’s better to ask again and again than make a huge mistake."

What do you love best about being a groom?

"The community, the love shown is amazing, another groom recently sent me a hug in a box! I remember, not too many years ago, a groom came to my rescue. I needed to fly back to the UK in time for a hospital appointment, despite having a big injury herself, this special groom took 10 trains and a taxi to get to the show, so she could drive the lorry and Bubsie home.

Thank you to all the grooms for making the industry so special." 

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